Vulture Mine Tostadas

1 pound ground beef
1 1/4 cups minced raw onion
1 can pinto beans
1 1/3 cups tomato sauce
2 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 cup water
1 tablespoon flour
8 cups mashed potatoes
4 cups shredded lettuce (optional)
1/2 cup chopped raw onion
3/4 cup grated longhorn or Cheddar

Brown ground beef and onion, draining fat. Add pinto beans and tomato sauce, cooking 15 minutes. Combine chili powder, flour, water and a little salt; blend this paste into previous mixture. Cook 45 minutes over low heat, stirring frequently.

Meanwhile, prepare mashed potatoes with butter, milk and black pepper, adding only enough milk to ensure rather stiff mashed potatoes.

To serve, spread mashed potatoes in center of dinner plate to resemble a 2-inch thick tostada (with a rim around the outer edge). Spoon chili into depression and top with lettuce, onion and cheese.

Serve with crusty rolls or French bread.

Makes 4 large tostadas.